Not only was this super easy, but you can do it for about $10 (maaaybe $15 if you have to buy everything).
You'll need:
an unfinished wood tray
paint (I used leftover ceiling paint)
scrapbook paper
mod podge
paint brushes (I used foam)
newspaper or a drop cloth (unless you're splatter-proof)
Just an FYI, if you're not looking for a specific tray size, check out Michael's first. They appear to only carry one size, but it's the largest I came across and it's only $3.99. JoAnn has two sizes, but at $5.99 for a smaller version, and $6.99 for the same size Michael's had.
What to do:
First, I dry-brushed some white paint on there. I didn't worry about making it perfect, and I let a little bit of the wood show through. Of course, if you want to go for full coverage or try spray paint instead, do your thing. To save time and paint, you don't need to do the tray bottom itself, since that's where the paper will go.
Next, while the paint is drying, cut your paper to the correct size.
Then, starting at one end and working toward the other, paint a strip of mod podge onto the tray and smooth the paper over top of it. If you try to put the whole piece of paper down at once, you'll end up in air bubble city. Save yourself the headache and just do it bit by bit. I wasn't too fussed with making mine super smooth (since I was going for a slightly distressed look) but if you want yours totally flat, try smoothing it with the edge of a credit card or a ruler.
Finally, after the mod podge under the paper is dry, paint a layer of it on top. Wait for it to dry. Boom! You're done!
What have you been crafting lately? Do you plan to make any of your holiday gifts?
And is there any such thing as too many trays that fir your decor perfectly? Excellent job!
ReplyDeleteThanks! It was seriously the easiest craft I've done in a long time.
ReplyDeleteI've got an unfinished tray sitting on my living room floor right now, just waiting for it's turn for a makeover. I snagged it at the Goodwill Outlet last week. I was planning on just painting it, but now I think I may have to add some shizzle with coordinating scrapbook paper. Thanks for the great idea!
ReplyDeleteWait, wait, wait. There's a Goodwill OUTLET?! I've never heard of this amazing thing!
ReplyDeletesuch a simple project and the results are amazing. i'll definitely need to try this.
ReplyDeleteYep, Goodwill has outlets. There aren't very many of them, but they do exist. Luckily, I happen to work and play in a city that has one - just five minutes down the road from my studio, actually.
ReplyDeleteIt's kind of like a gigantic yardsale - everything's in huge boxes and bins and you have to dig. And I mean really dig. These are Goodwill rejects, after all. But it's so worth it if you're willing to go in with an open mind.
On my last trip I came home with 4 cd's, 2 pristine books that will be gifted for Christmas, a couple of not-so-pristine books that found homes on my bookshelves, 6 huge seashells that are going to be refashioned into something (probably candles) for my mother-in-law, a box of Trivial Pursuit cards, a vase that matches perfectly with several I already have, the aforementioned tray, and a heap of clothes, some of which have been turned into our new Christmas stockings!
Okay, I'm going to finish this ridiculously long comment now and go write a blog post about the Goodwill Outlets. :)